An Analog-Modeling Beast -- Expandable with Plug-Out Technology

The Roland System-1 AIRA Plug-Out Synthesizer Keyboard is one of the most exciting virtual-analog synths to hit the market in some time. Powerful yet affordable, the System-1 aims to deliver authentic analog sounds in an expandable all-digital unit. It features a two-octave keyboard with full-sized keys and 73 buttons, knobs, and sliders to control everything from LFOs and filters to effects and arpeggios. It's switchable between its own internal sound engine and a connected or hosted soft synth -- Roland's SH-101 is already available, and more programs are on the way.

PLUG-OUT Synthesizer: Host Software Synths -- No Computer Needed

The System-1 AIRA synth is fully USB enabled and can connect to your Mac- or PC-based laptop to control your favorite soft synth plug-ins directly from the hardware. What's more, System-1 offers the revolutionary PLUG-OUT feature. Essentially a compact computer within a synthesizer, the System-1 allows you to upload and host soft-synth models of classic Roland synths directly within the System-1's memory, so you can take your soft synth to the gig and leave your laptop at home. You can switch between the internal sound engine and a hosted soft synth at any time. To get you started, Roland offers a fully modeled digital version of the legendary Roland SH-101 in soft-synth form -- and there are more digital versions of vintage Roland synths to come, so your System-1 will expand over time.

Analog Circuit Behavior Technology

Each Roland AIRA unit is authentically crafted based on the original specifications of the '80s instrument which inspired it. Using DSPs and Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, Roland has painstakingly created digital models of vintage Roland synths like System-100, System-700, SH-101, etc., going so far as to model the behavior of the analog circuits themselves, allowing the System-1 to function and sound just like its predecessors. So you get a vintage-sounding analog-modeling synth that's affordable and expandable with your favorite software synths -- no laptop required!

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 323-890-3700

Product Description

Back in the 1970s, Roland launched the SYSTEM 100, 100M and the now almost mythical SYSTEM 700. These modular and semi-modular synthesizers are heralded to this day for their flexibility and character of sound. Over the years, they've been put to great use by visionary artists on countless classic tracks.

Modern Vintage

Meet the SYSTEM-1, a synthesizer probably unlike any you've encountered before. Like its predecessors, the SYSTEM-1 breaks ground with remarkable flexibility and access to a vast palette of synthesized sounds with the bold and unmistakable character associated with Roland synthesizers for nearly four decades.

At the heart of the SYSTEM-1's sound is an Analog Circuit Behavior technology (ACB) which they use to carefully analyze every aspect of analog circuits and then faithfully recreate them down to the finest details. This technology fills the SYSTEM-1 with a fusion of beautifully classic and utterly modern synthesizer tones. Sound good?

There's more.

The SYSTEM-1 can control and even host software recreations of classic Roland synthesizers. That's right. The SYSTEM-1 can control plug-in versions of now legendary Roland synths, and those same plugins can be hosted in the SYSTEM-1 itself - with no computer required. You can even switch between the SYSTEM-1's internal sounds and those of the hosted plug-in. Roland calls this wizardry "PLUG-OUT" -- and they're pretty excited about it.
And they think you'll be excited too once you experience the supreme authenticity of the upcoming SH-101 softsynth, with the SYSTEM-1 providing an intuitive and fully automatic one-to-one control interface that just works. Let's be honest - who could make a better plug-in version of a classic Roland synth than Roland?

And the SH-101 is just the beginning.

The SYSTEM-1 not only sounds amazing, but it also has a totally innovative design with performance ready controls, quality construction, and a dizzying array of lights and knobs and sliders that proclaim -- unashamedly -- "I am synthesizer. Hear me roar."

A few more things

- You can connect the SYSTEM-1 to your computer via its USB jack to send and receive Audio and MIDI data.
- The SYSTEM-1 can receive MIDI clock information to sync with external devices including other AIRA series units.
- The SYSTEM-1 is designed to work seamlessly and look great with other products in the AIRA series.

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Written by one of our gear experts!
"Analog power and TOTAL control!"

Overall:
The AIRA Variable synth is an absolutely inspiring pleasure. It comes stock with 8 sound presets and a manual synth. All of these are very unique, high quality and useful sounds. The thing is, you have complete control over the LFO, High pass filter, amp and both oscillators down to minuscule details. So every single sound can be manipulated and transformed over and over from nasty and powerful to weird and trippy to soaring and beautiful. I played this thing for 3 hours and didn't get the same sound once. Not to mention the expression capabilities from the arpeggio type, scatter, pitch bend and portamento function.
Whether you need a new sound to inspire you, a hold-steady synth to color your productions, or just want to make some gnarly wub wub. Look no further! This is for you.

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